Imphal, April 29: Presenting the findings of the investigation into the alleged siphoning of the public share of SK oil by UGs leading to sky-rocketing of its price in the market, the proscribed outfits UNLF and KYKL have asserted that even before the UGs came on the scene, the Chief Minister, the Ministers concerned and their cronies have been siphoning off the SK oil.

In a joint statement, deputy secretary organisation of UNLF N Ibochou and secretary publicity and research of KYKL Langamba Mangang reasoned that at this juncture withdrawal of their SK oil shares by the UGs would not necessarily help in controlling the price of the SK oil in the market as the Chief Minister and his team are only lying in wait to pounce on the shares of the UGs.

Public should understand that the UGs are taking their share of the SK oil only to be used in mobilising fund for the revolutionary movement while the Chief Minister and his Ministers only for their personal gain.

This difference should be known to all, the joint statement said.

While observing that the UGs should not be alone blamed for the hike in the price of the SK oil in the market, the joint statement explained that the minimum rate at which 1 litre of SK oil, the normal rate of which is only Rs 9.60 per litre, can be sold in the four valley districts of the State after adding up the commission of the dealers/ agents and other necessary expenditures is Rs 14.However, the price of the SK oil in the market today even goes up to Rs 30 per litre.

This is due to activities of the middle men and black marketeers, the joint statement said, adding that the people should also be aware of this fact.

In order to solve problems of the people, the joint statement announced that henceforth, the two outfits would ensure that the SK oil is made available to the people only through the agents and not through traders and black marketeers.

The agents should also sell the SK oil at the rate of Rs 14 per litre and not more than that, the joint statement made it clear.

The agents should put up the rate of the SK oil in writing front of their respective shops and no retail selling of the oil in shops and every localities would not be allowed.

Serious action would also be initiated without giving any warning against any agents who defy this diktat, the joint statement warned.

UNLF and KYKL would also start discussing ways and means of reducing the price of the rice and the same would be announced subsequently, the joint statement said, while appealing to other outfits to extend their co-operation in ameliorating the lots of the people.

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